Intermittent automatic switch.



No. 727,870. I PATENTED MAY 12,1903.

' H. WOLF, JR.

, INTERMITTENT AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 22, 1902.

I no MODEL.

f I Y I I a ive-ft UNITED STATES Patented May 12, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY W'OLF, JR, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO EMIL BLOCl-I, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

INTERMITTENT AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 727,870, dated May 12, 1903.

Application filed Dece mberZ Z, 1902. Serial No. 136,151. (No model.)

the switch is operated at given intervals with such a quick shift as to avoid danger of burning out.

Other objects of my invention relate to the cushioning of the movements and to the pro viding of instrumentalities governing the time and degree of movement, the intervals between movements, and, in general, to produce an efficient instrument.

Other features of my invention are more fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of my improvement, partly in sections. Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a detailed view. of the tripping device in a reverse position from that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a top sectional view of the circuit-breaking mechanism.

A represents the electric lights to be actuated intermittently.

B represents the upright tubular standard, carrying a bracket or platform C, upon which is a contact-post D, to which is pivoted the end of the switch-blade E.

F represents a yoke-electrode on the platform C, in the yoke of which the free end of the blade E rests. G represents a platform supported by the standard B above the platform C, from which platform is suspended a similar yoke-electrode H. The yokes of the electrodes F and H are in the same vertical plane and point toward each other, between which yoke-electrodes the switch-blade is reciprocated.

I represents a magnet-coil; J, the magnetplate.

The standard B is a hollow column within which reciprocates the piston-armature K. Aportion of the standard below the platform constitutes an oil -well for cushioning the movements of the piston-armature. This oil-.

weight of the solenoid-core, the liquid lying below the piston is forced by such action of gravity into the space above the piston.

L represents a screw for regulating the size of the by-pass L.

a represents the main electric-light wire connecting through the screwb to the post D.

The break occurs between the electrodes F and H, and when the end of the switch-blade E is engaging the electrode H the circuit continues through the wires 0 down to the lights. d represents a return-wire. 6 represents a branch wire connected to the wire (1, which wire 6 when the electric-light circuit is broken becomes a main wire to the magnet-coil. g

represents a return-wire of the magnet-coil, which is connected by a screw g to the electrode F. It is therefore evident thatwhen the electric-light circuit isbroken, as shown in Fig. 1, the magnet-circuit is complete and the magnet-plate attracts the armature-pie ton, and with it the switch-blade, until the switch-blade breaks connection with the electrode F, thus breaking the magnet-circuit and establishing connection with the electrode H, which establishes the electric-light circuit; also, as soon as the magnet-circuit is broken the electric-light circuit is formed, and vice versa, and so the operation of the switch-blade is continued intermittently. In order to avoid burning out, which would result from the slow shifting of the switchblade, and, in fact, in order to render the device operative at all times, it is necessary to provide connecting actuatingdevices between the switch-blade and the piston-armature and an accessory trip device adapted to give the desired movement to the switch-blade. This desired movement consists in a retention of its adjacent electrodegand that the same re sult be produced in the return travel of the piston-armature. M g invention has largely for its object the production of suitable inf strumentalities to accomplish these ends.

That portion of the column or standard 13' lying between the platforms 0 and G is provided with opposite vertical slots h, through which project the screws e' 2", connected to the stem of the piston-armature, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4t. a j represents'a coil-spring connected to the screw 2" and to the pin k, attached to the switch-blade E. 7

M represents'a standard erected upon the platform 0, to which is pivoted a T-shaped lever N, the other end-f of the said lever N being provided with a slotted bearing Z, (shown in dotted line,"Fig. 5,) engaging the screw t" of the armature-piston stem.

O 0 represent springs attached, respec tively, to the platforms 0 and G and pointing toward each other, the ends thereof being provided with catch-lugs m m, respectively, beveled on their opposing faces. These springs are projected in such relation to one another and to the switch-blade that the catch-1n gs are interposed in the path of travel of the pin 71 upon the free end of the switchlever E. The outer T ends of the rocking lever N are provided with release-lugs 0 0, adapted to engage against the springs O O at ghe extreme point of movement of the T en s.

Mode of operation: The parts being in the position shown in Fig. 1, acurrent is applied and circuit is made through the magnet by means of the wire 6 through the magnet-coil, thence through wire g, the screw g, electrode F, the switch-blade E, post D, screw 17, and wire a. As the piston rises to a given point beyond the middle of the slot h it begins to raise, through the spring j, the switch-blade E, at the same time extending the spring under tension. When the free end of the switchblade moves toward the yoke of the electrode F, the pin 72, engages the catch-lug m of the spring 0 on the platform 0. It is thus arrested from further rising, and so holds closed the magnet-circuit until the armature-piston has nearly made its contact with the armature-plate. At this position the springj is underconsiderable tension and the logo of the T- lever N is hearing against the said spring 0. As the piston completes its upward movement further tilting of the lever N bends over the spring 0 and releases the catch m from engaging with the locking-pin n on the switch-blade E. The end of the switch-blade thus being free, the tension of the spring j snaps the switch-blade into the yoke of the electrode H. This breaks the magnet-circuit and establishes the electric-light circuitfalmost instantaneously. As the armature-piston begins to lower by its own weight, itsldescent being retarded by the oil as previously explained, the electric-light circuit is continued by means of the engagement of the pin n with the catch-lug m of the spring 0' until the lug 0' on the other T end of the lever N engages the spring 0 and releases the switch-lever just as the piston-armature is about to complete its descent. This movement again "imparts tension to the springj, so that when released the end of the switchlever is snapped back intoicontact with the yoke of thefelectrode F, thus breaking the electric-light circuit and again establishing the magnet circuia hence starting over the operation just described. Of course the pin it in its travel toward the springs O 0, respectively, engages and passes over the beveled face of the catch-lugs m m, respectively, depressing the spring slightly for the purpose. By these instrumentalities, organized substantially as herein described, a very delicate, accurate, and almost instantaneous make-and-break contact of the switch-bar between the electrodes is produced.

Various mechanical changes obvious to a skilled mechanic may be devised from a proper understanding of the device herein described without deviating from the principles of the invention.

By partial circuit is meant an incomplete circuiti Having described my invention, I claim 1. In an electric switch, a magnet coil and armature-piston, two yoke-electrodes, a switch-blade pivoted between the open ends of said yokes,a partial circuit formed through said magnet-coil and one of said electrodes, adapted to beclosed by the switch-blade, an independent circuit formed through the other of said electrodes, adapted to be closed by the switch-blade, a coil-spring connecting the armature-piston with the switch-blade, spring-catches,a T-lever pivoted between said electrodes connected to said armaturepiston, whereby the T ends of the said lever are alternately rocked in contact with the spring-catches, releasing the same, substantially as described.

2. In an electric switch, a magnet-coil, piston-armatures, means for retarding the armature travel by fluid-pressure, two yoke-electrodes, a partial circuit formed through one of said electrodes and the magnet-coil, an independent partial circuit formed through the other of said electrodes, a switch-blade pivoted between said electrodes, adapted to alternately close the said partial circuits, a coilspring connecting the said armature piston and the switch-blade, spring-catches adapted to engage the free end of the switchblade and retain it in contact with the electrode from which it is being moved by the armature, thereby imparting tension to the spring between the blade and armature, a release-lever pivoted between the said electrodes and connected to the armature, adapted to alternately release said spring-catch-at points near the ends of the movement of the armature in either direction, whereby the compression of the connectin g-sprin g imparts a quick shift to the switch-blade, making a practically instantaneous make-and-break contact between said electrodes,substantially as described.

3. In an electric switch, a standard comprising an oil-well and by-pass at the base,

two cross-brackets, a magnet-coil, pistonarmature adapted to be actuated by the magnet, a piston end traveling in the said oil- Well, a sleeve surrounding the stem of the piston between the said cross-brackets, a yokeelectrode supported on one cross-bar and suspended through the other, a switchblade post, a switch-blade pivoted thereto with the free end adapted to travel between said electrodes, vertical slots in the said sleeve, a fastening-pin secured to the stem of the piston projected through said slots, a coil-spring attached to one of said pins and to the switch-blade,spring-catches erected on said brackets adapted to engage the free end of the switch-blade and detain it in contact with the electrode from which it is being moved, a second post on one of said brackets, a T-lever pivoted thereto between the electrodes, one end of said lever being connected to the other pin of the piston-stem by means of a slidable bearing, said end of the lever being adapted to alternately engage and release said springcatches, a partial circuit formed through one of said electrodes and the magnet-coil for actuating the armature, a second partial circuit formed through the other of said electrodes for conveying the power which it is desired to switch, both partial circuits adapted to be alternately closed and broken by the reciprocation of the switch-blade, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HENRY WOLF, JR.

Witnesses:

OLIVER B. KAISER, IDA J. LUcAs. 

